Welcome!

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Do you want to dance with the gypsies, witness the beauties of the Thar Desert and support the community by doing so? Experience the forgotten culture of the gypsy nomads of Rajasthan!

Gypsy Nomads Travel combines culture and tourism to provide a social cross-cultural experience, where travelers and researchers can experience and support the gypsy nomad community of Rajasthan, India.

The tour, which follows various gypsy tribes, is dedicated to both development of their community and valuing the forgotten traditions of the gypsies. 

Learn about nomadic culture through workshops (like music and dance) and dialogue and storytelling sessions. Teach the children and women about hygiene and health, and experience India through an authentic cross cultural exchange and experience. 

For whom is this trip? The eco-tour is especially set up for travelers who want to experience or research the authentic rural life in Rajasthan through culture and tourism. We cater directly to anthropologists, photographers/photojournalists, and interested visitors.

Our mission

Connecting cultures… connecting people!

The gypsy communities in Rajasthan have great knowledge of things that seem to be  forgotten in modern city life. Their way of living is pure and innocent in many ways, focusing on survival. However, they struggle with issues like poverty, addiction and poor education. Recently one of their main source of income, street performances, has been limited by the government. This leaves them searching for new ways of income, among others in the bigger cities. A lack of education has resulted in unawareness of talent, illiteracy and victimhood of scams.

Gypsy Nomads Travel strives towards empowering the gypsy community.

We do this through conservation of their traditions by revaluing their heritage and we strive towards education in terms of health, hygiene and teaching them how to read and write. This program is dedicated to connect cultures, and connect people, both in equal dialogue. This way we can capture and value the almost forgotten traditions of the nomadic people and the community can find new resources and means to earn a living.

Core values:

  • Dialogue and knowledge exchange: learn from each other through teaching, taking workshops, and dialogue sessions. 
  • Empowerment of the people: giving the gypsies opportunities to make a living, to explore their talents and to share their knowledge. 
  • Revitalising and archiving traditional cultures: stimulating research about the gypsy community
  • Community and togetherness: emphasizing equal rights and co-creation through daily interaction
  • Authenticity and transparency: experience a rare exchange organised together with the gypsy community, in order to support their way of living in a sustainable way. 

Your trip

Very rarely one finds a land of sharp contrasts. The northern Indian state of Rajasthan is one such place where majestic forts and palaces dot the landscape and at the same time vast expanse of barren and inhospitable Thar Desert stares you in the face. However, what makes this state unique is its people and their vibrant culture. If the majestic forts and palaces tell tales about its glorious past, the Thar Desert is testament of human spirit and endurance that manifests itself in festivals and carnivals celebrating the essence of life. Travel through Rajasthan can be an enriching experience as its every nook and corner tells story of how human spirit is alive in adversity.

Through the Rajasthani desert, the nomadic gypsy folks travel from place to place. Their way of life is simple and pure, almost untouched by temptations of modern city life. Performing on the street, selling their crafts or doing regular labour, they try to make a living. This cultural exchange is a way to raise awareness on their talents and to stir dialogue between people.

What do I offer?

  • A guided tour to different villages in Rajasthan, introducing the authentic gypsy nomad style of life. As an expert in gypsy street performance, and having travelled with various folks while making a series about their art, I can tell you all about their ways and be your translator.
  • Accommodation in beautiful heritage hotels and/or comfortable Rajasthani homestays, thereby supporting the local families.
  • Transport through the Thar desert and other parts of Rajasthan
  • An itinerary based on your request and budget.
  • The possibility to really connect with and learn from grassroots nomad people and share your knowledge.

How your trip could look like

You can pick a package deal (4 days, 7 days or 1 month), or go for a personalised experience of the gypsy community in Rajasthan. I will arrange your trip according to your budget and wishes, and offer fair deals to the gypsy people. 

The gypsies move from one place to another, so you will follow in their footsteps and move around in the rural areas around all of Rajasthan. We will visit the Kalbeliya, Kanjer and other performers nomadic communities of the Thar desert. Also, I will take into account the festivities and activities celebrated at your moment of visit, so you will make the most out of this amazing experience!

4 days:

7 days:

1 month:

Don’t worry about the budget, we are flexible and can adjust it to your budget!

Your facilitator

Yusuf Khurram– Creative Director of Desert Arts, Folk Theatre Educator, Visual and Cultural Anthropologist, Independent Documentary Filmmaker and Former Graduate of National School of Drama, New Delhi

“For thirty years I have worked with the gypsy nomad people, like the Kalbeliya. They are very pure and innocent, and very friendly people. For the last couple of years I made short movies and a series (‘The Heritage Walk’) about them to create an archive that will ensure that their traditions and art forms won’t be forgotten. As they are struggling to make a living, I wanted to help them and share my knowledge. This is why I started organising these trips. Till now, many international students, researchers and photographers have travelled with me towards these nomadic communities.”

 

Research Center

 

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I invite you to share your knowledge and research!

I have a wish to make a digital archive about the dying arts of the nomad community, whether it be their street performance skills, their knowledge of herbal medicine or just their way of living. Therefore, I invite researchers, media specialists or hobby investigators to come and help me to immortalise the heritage of the gypsies.

In the future, I hope to create a Research Center for Desert Arts India, and I could always use some bright minds to help me along the way!

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